Mild smacking is allowed under the Children’s Act
An attempt to ban smacking in Wales has been dropped after a wrangle between governments in Cardiff and Westminster.
The assembly government says it does not accept UK Government’s legal advice a ban could not be introduced in Wales.
But an assembly government minister said while such a ban could come within the powers it was seeking, it was bowing to Wales Office pressure.
The UK Government had wanted it made clear Wales could not have a ban before other powers were transferred.
AMs voted for a smacking ban in 2004.
The UK Government said last week that new law-making powers for the assembly government to protect vulnerable children would not extend to a complete smacking ban.
It said this would impinge on the criminal justice system, which is not devolved to Wales.